Ph.D. student wins national science poster competition

11/13/2013

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (November 13, 2013) — Diane Render, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has won first place in a national science poster competition. The 23rd National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Conference was held Nov. 3-7, in Nashville. The event showcased the research contributions of the EPSCoR jurisdictions, while highlighting opportunities to become a vehicle for job creation, entrepreneurship, external engagement, and innovation.

A research-centric student poster competition was held Nov. 5. This competition provided an opportunity for about 60 students from across the nation to showcase their current or completed/research and compete for an award. Render’s research was titled, “Preparation and Evaluation of 5-Fluorouracil/Calcium Carbonate Tablet for Colonic Drug Delivery.”

According to her abstract: "Targeted delivery of a cytotoxic drug is beneficial to maximize the efficacy of the drug and reduce side effects associated with its delivery. Nanoparticulate-based drug delivery systems are being developed to control the release of drugs in the body, to protect the drugs from enzymatic or chemical degradation, and to attain organ- or tissue-targeted delivery."

Render was awarded a mini iPad for her work. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is headed by Shaik Jeelani and Render's adviser is Vijaya Rangari, associate professor in the department. This research work was carried out in collaboration with Temesgen Samuel in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Babu Ramapuram, Auburn University School of Pharmacy.

Tuskegee University is also the lead institution for Alabama NSF EPSCoR program and the principal investigator is Mahesh Hosur, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The Alabama Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ALEPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Improvement award from the National Science Foundation (2008-2014 performance period) has created an integrated, statewide partnership among multiple academic institutions, including: Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the University of South Alabama.